Methods of identifying responses to map kinase inhibition therapy

ABSTRACT

The invention provides methods and devices for determining molecular signatures in a cancer that predict response to a MARPK pathway inhibitor and methods of use of such signatures.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/800,304, filed Mar. 15, 2013, the entirecontents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Oncogenic mutations in the serine/threonine kinase B-RAF (also known asBRAF) are found in 50-70% of malignant melanomas. (Davies, H. et al.,Nature 417, 949-954 (2002).) Pre-clinical studies have demonstrated thatthe B-RAF (V600E) mutation predicts a dependency on themitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade in melanoma(Hoeflich, K. P. et al., Cancer Res. 69, 3042-3051 (2009); McDermott, U.et al., Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 104, 19936-19941 (2007); Solit, D. B.et al. BRAF mutation predicts sensitivity to MEK inhibition. Nature 439,358-362 (2006); Wan, P. T. et al., Cell 116, 855-867 (2004); Wellbrock,C. et al., Cancer Res. 64, 2338-2342 (2004))—an observation that hasbeen validated by the success of RAF or MEK inhibitors in clinicaltrials (Flaherty, K. T. et al., N. Engl. J. Med. 363, 809-819 (2010);Infante, J. R. et al., J. Clin. Oncol. 28 (suppl.), 2503 (2010);Schwartz, G. K. et al., J. Clin. OncoL 27 (suppL), 3513 (2009).)

However, clinical responses to targeted anticancer therapeutics arefrequently confounded by intrinsic or acquired resistance. (Engelman, J.A. et al., Science 316, 1039-1043 (2007); Gone, M. E. et al., Science293, 876-880 (2001); Heinrich, M. C. et al., J. Clin. Oncol. 24,4764-4774 (2006); Daub, H., Specht, K. & Ullrich, A. Nature Rev. DrugDiscov. 3, 1001-1010 (2004).) Accordingly, there remains a need for newmethods for identification of resistance mechanisms in a manner thatelucidates “druggable” targets for effective short- and long-termtreatment strategies, for new methods of identifying patients that arelikely to benefit from the treatment strategies, and for methods oftreating patients with the effective short- and long-term treatmentstrategies.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention relates, in part, to the identification ofmolecular signatures that are associated with and thus are predictive ofresistance or sensitivity of particular cancers, such as BRAF mutantmelanomas, to particular treatments, such as MAPK pathway inhibitors.The present invention also relates, in part, to the identification offurther therapeutic targets for such cancers wherein such targets may bemodified in order to establish or maintain a sensitive state in suchcancers. The invention further embraces screening assays that can beused to identify agents that promote a sensitive phenotype or agentsthat promote a resistant phenotype, or agents that maintain a sensitivephenotype in the long term and/or following exposure to a MAPK pathwayinhibitor.

The invention is based in part on the identification of markers and moreimportantly collections of markers, referred to herein as signatures orprofiles, that are associated with resistance (and/or increasedlikelihood of resistance) or sensitivity (and/or increased likelihood ofsensitivity to MAPK pathway inhibitor therapy. The invention thereforeprovides methods that use one or more of the signatures provided hereinas diagnostic, theranostic and/or prognostic markers. Such signaturesalso provide additional treatment targets. These various methods aredescribed herein in greater detail.

The invention provides in another aspect a method for screening amolecular or chemical library, including for example a combinatoriallibrary, to identify an agent or combination of agents that (1) converta sensitive signature in a cancer cell or population of cancer cells toa resistant signature, (2) convert a resistant signature in a cancercell or population of cancer cells to a sensitive signature, (3)maintain a sensitive signature in a cancer cell or population of cancercells for example for an extended period of time and/or indefinitely,and/or (4) maintain a sensitive signature in a cancer cell or populationof cancer cells in the presence of a MAPK pathway inhibitor.

Diagnostic, prognostic, and theranostic assays of the invention involveassaying mRNA expression and/or protein expression of one and typicallymore than one marker of those provided herein in order to arrive at asignature of resistance or sensitivity. In some embodiments, thesemethods may include assaying gene copy number for one or more markersand/or assaying activity level of one or more markers. The art isfamiliar with assays for copy number, mRNA expression levels, proteinexpression levels, and activity levels of the one or more markers asdescribed herein. Non-limiting examples of such assays are describedherein.

Thus, in one aspect, the invention provides a method comprisingmeasuring in a cancer sample obtained from a subject having cancer

-   (1) expression of one or more resistance markers selected from the    group consisting of BDNF, KCNMA1, PAPPA, CCDC80, RRAS, CLMP, EPHA2,    HRH1, SCG5, TSPAN5, BEX1, TMEM200A, TGM2, CD163L1, S100A16, IGFBP6,    ITGA3, LOC100130938, C12orf75, FBN2, CRIM1, COL6A2, and EFNB2 (“R1    markers”), and-   (2) expression of    -   (a) one or more resistance markers selected from the group        consisting of DSE, CYR61, CDH13, PODXL, SERPINE1, NRP1, IL1B,        BIRC3, AXL, NUAK1, TCF4, COL5A1, NTM, CCL2, IL1A and TPM1 (“R2        markers”), or    -   (b) one or more sensitive markers selected from the group        consisting of IGSF11, FAM167B, MTUS1, GDF15, LINC00518, LRRK2,        ID4, CMTM8, KIAA0226L, C11orf96, D4S234E, TBC1D16, TTYH2, LAMA1,        PMEL, PROS1, KCNN2, ESRP1, TRIM63, RXRG, PLEKHH1, CPN1, PI15,        GNPTAB, and RNF144A (“S1 markers”), or    -   (c) one or more sensitive markers selected from the group        consisting of GYG2, TYR, SLC45A2, PLA1A, ST3GAL6, DCT, CITED1,        RAB38, TNFRSF14, GALNT3, MREG, GPM6B, RRAGD, CAPN3, MLANA, and        MITF (“S2 markers”), and-   identifying the cancer as resistant to a MAPK pathway inhibitor if    -   (i) one or more of the R1 markers is up-regulated and    -   (ii) one or more of the R2 markers is up-regulated or    -   (iii) one or more of the S1 markers is down-regulated or    -   (iv) one or more of the S2 markers is down-regulated, or-   identifying the cancer as sensitive to a MAPK pathway inhibitor if    -   (i) one or more of the R1 markers is down-regulated and    -   (ii) one or more of the R2 markers is down-regulated or    -   (iii) one or more of the S1 markers is up-regulated or    -   (iv) one or more of the S2 markers is up-regulated.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method comprising measuringin a cancer sample obtained from a subject having cancer

-   (1) expression of one or more sensitive markers selected from the    group consisting of IGSF11, FAM167B, MTUS1, GDF15, LINC00518, LRRK2,    ID4, CMTM8, K1AA0226L, C11orf96, D4S234E, TBC1D16, TTYH2, LAMA1,    PMEL, PROS1, KCNN2, ESRP1, TRIM63, RXRG, PLEKHH1, CPN1, PI15,    GNPTAB, and RNF144A (“S1 markers”), and-   (2) expression of    -   (a) one or more sensitive markers selected from the group        consisting of GYG2, TYR, SLC45A2, PLA1A, ST3GAL6, DCT, CITED1,        RAB38, TNFRSF14, GALNT3, MREG, GPM6B, RRAGD, CAPN3, MLANA, and        MITF (“S2 markers”), or    -   (b) expression of one or more resistance markers selected from        the group consisting of BDNF, KCNMA1, PAPPA, CCDC80, RRAS, CLMP,        EPHA2, HRH1, SCG5, TSPAN5, BEX1, TMEM200A, TGM2, CD163L1,        S100A16, IGFBP6, ITGA3, LOC100130938, C12orf75, FBN2, CRIM1,        COL6A2, and EFNB2 (“R1 markers”), or    -   (c) one or more resistance markers selected from the group        consisting of DSE, CYR61, CDH13, PODXL, SERPINE1, NRP1, IL1B,        BIRC3, AXL, NUAK1, TCF4, COL5A1, NTM, CCL2, IL1A and TPM1 (“R2        markers”), and

identifying the cancer as sensitive to a MAPK pathway inhibitor if

-   -   (i) one or more of the SI markers is up-regulated and    -   (ii) one or more of the S2 markers is up-regulated or    -   (iii) one or more of the R1 markers is down-regulated or    -   (iv) one or more of the R2 markers is down-regulated.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method comprising measuringin a cancer sample obtained from a subject having cancer

-   (1) expression of two or more resistance markers selected from the    group consisting of BDNF, KCNMA1, PAPPA, CCDC80, RRAS, CLMP, EPHA2,    HRH1, SCG5, TSPAN5, BEX1, TMEM200A, TGM2, CD163L1, S100A16, IGFBP6,    ITGA3, LOC100130938, C12orf75, FBN2, CRIM1, COL6A2, and EFNB2 (“R1    markers”), and/or-   (2) expression of two or more sensitive markers selected from the    group consisting of IGSF11, FAM167B, MTUS1, GDF15, LINC00518, LRRK2,    ID4, CMTM8, KIAA0226L, C11orf96, D4S234E, TBC1D16, TTYH2, LAMA1,    PMEL, PROS1, KCNN2, ESRP1, TRIM63, RXRG, PLEKHH1, CPN1, PI15,    GNPTAB, and RNF144A (“S1 markers”), and-   identifying the cancer as resistant to a MAPK pathway inhibitor if    -   (i) two or more of the R1 markers is up-regulated, and        optionally    -   (ii) two or more of the S1 markers is down-regulated, or-   identifying the cancer as sensitive to a MAPK pathway inhibitor if    -   (i) two or more of the S1 markers is up-regulated, and        optionally    -   (ii) two or more of the RI markers is down-regulated.

In some embodiments, the subject is human.

In some embodiments, the cancer is a cancer treated with a MAPK pathwayinhibitor. In some embodiments, the cancer is melanoma. In someembodiments, the cancer comprises a BRAF mutation. In some embodiments,the cancer is a melanoma having a BRAF mutation. In some embodiments,the subject has been or is being treated with a MAPK pathway inhibitor.

In some embodiments, expression is mRNA expression. In some embodiments,expression is protein expression.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises altering a therapy tothe subject if the subject presents a resistant phenotype.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method comprising measuringin a cancer sample obtained from a subject having cancer

-   (1) one or more sensitive markers selected from the group consisting    of IGSF11, FAM167B, MTUS1, GDF15, LINC00518, LRRK2, ID4, CMTM8,    KIAA0226L, C11orf96, D4S234E, TBC1D16, TTYH2, LAMA1, PMEL, PROS1,    KCNN2, ESRP1, TRIM63, RXRG, PLEKHH1, CPN1, PI15, GNPTAB, and RNF144A    (“SI markers”), and-   (2) expression of    -   (a) one or more sensitive markers selected from the group        consisting of GYG2, TYR, SLC45A2, PLA1A, ST3GAL6, DCT, CITED1,        RAB38, TNFRSF14, GALNT3, MREG, GPM6B, RRAGD, CAPN3, MLANA, and        MITF (“S2 markers”), or    -   (b) expression of one or more resistance markers selected from        the group consisting of BDNF, KCNMA1, PAPPA, CCDC80, RRAS, CLMP,        EPHA2, HRH1, SCG5, TSPAN5, BEX1, TMEM200A, TGM2, CD163L1,        S100A16, IGFBP6, ITGA3, LOC100130938, C12orf75, FBN2, CRIM1,        COL6A2, and EFNB2 (“RI markers”), or    -   (c) one or more resistance markers selected from the group        consisting of DSE, CYR61, CDH13, PODXL, SERPINE1, NRP1, IL1B,        BIRC3, AXL, NUAK1, TCF4, COL5A1, NTM, CCL2, IL1A and TPM1 (“R2        markers”), and

administering an effective amount of a MAPK pathway inhibitor to thesubject if

-   -   (i) one or more of the S1 markers is up-regulated and    -   (ii) one or more of the S2 markers is up-regulated or    -   (iii) one or more of the RI markers is down-regulated or    -   (iv) one or more of the R2 markers is down-regulated.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method comprising measuringin a cancer sample obtained from a subject having cancer

-   (1) expression of two or more resistance markers selected from the    group consisting of BDNF, KCNMA1, PAPPA, CCDC80, RRAS, CLMP, EPHA2,    HRH1, SCG5, TSPAN5, BEX1, TMEM200A, TGM2, CD163L1, S100A16, IGFBP6,    ITGA3, LOC100130938, C12orf75, FBN2, CRIM1, COL6A2, and EFNB2 (“R1    markers”), and/or-   (2) expression of two or more sensitive markers selected from the    group consisting of IGSF11, FAM167B, MTUS1, GDF15, LINC00518, LRRK2,    ID4, CMTM8, KIAA0226L, C11orf96, D4S234E, TBC1D16, TTYH2, LAMA1,    PMEL, PROS1, KCNN2, ESRP1, TRIM63, RXRG, PLEKHH1, CPN1, PI15,    GNPTAB, and RNF144A (“S1 markers”), and    administering an effective amount of a MAPK pathway inhibitor to the    subject if    -   (i) two or more of the S1 markers is up-regulated, and        optionally    -   (ii) two or more of the R1 markers is down-regulated.

In some embodiments, the subject is human.

In some embodiments, the cancer is melanoma. In some embodiments, thecancer comprises a BRAF mutation. In some embodiments, the BRAF mutationcomprises a V600E mutation.

In some embodiments, expression is mRNA expression. In some embodiments,expression is protein expression.

In some embodiments, the MAPK pathway inhibitor is a RAF inhibitor. Insome embodiments, the MAPK pathway inhibitor is a MEK inhibitor. In someembodiments, the MAPK pathway inhibitor is an ERK inhibitor. In someembodiments, the MAPK pathway inhibitor is a first and a second MAPKpathway inhibitor, wherein the first MAPK pathway inhibitor is a RAFinhibitor and the second MAPK pathway inhibitor is a MEK inhibitor.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method comprising measuring,in a cancer cell or population of cancer cells, a first expression levelof one or more R1 markers, and one or more R2 markers, S1 markers, orone or more S2 markers;

measuring, in a cancer cell or population of cancer cells in thepresence of at least one agent, a second expression level of one or moreR1 markers and one or more R2 markers, S1 markers, or one or more S2markers; and identifying the agent as capable of converting a sensitivesignature in the cancer cell or population of cancer cells to aresistant signature if

-   -   (i) the second expression level of the one or more of the R1        markers is up-regulated compared to the first expression level        and    -   (ii) the second expression level of the one or more of the R2        markers is up-regulated compared to the first expression level        or    -   (iii) the second expression level of the one or more of the S1        markers is down-regulated compared to the first expression level        or    -   (iv) the second expression level of the one or more of the S2        markers is down-regulated compared to the first expression        level, or        identifying the agent as capable of converting a resistant        signature in the cancer cell or population of cancer cells to a        sensitive signature if    -   (i) the second expression level of the one or more of the R1        markers is down-regulated compared to the first expression level        and    -   (ii) the second expression level of the one or more of the R2        markers is down-regulated compared to the first expression level        or    -   (iii) the second expression level of the one or more of the S1        markers is up-regulated compared to the first expression level        or    -   (iv) the second expression level of the one or more of the S2        markers is up-regulated compared to the first expression level.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method comprising measuring,in a cancer cell or population of cancer cells, a first expression levelof two or more R1 markers and/or two or more S1 markers; measuring, in acancer cell or population of cancer cells in the presence of at leastone agent, a second expression level of one or more RI markers and oneor more R2 markers, S1 markers, or one or more S2 markers; andidentifying the agent as capable of converting a sensitive signature inthe cancer cell or population of cancer cells to a resistant signatureif

-   -   (i) the second expression level of the two or more of the R1        markers is up-regulated compared to the first expression level,        and optionally    -   (ii) the second expression level of the two or more of the S1        markers is down-regulated compared to the first expression        level, or        identifying the agent as capable of converting a resistant        signature in the cancer cell or population of cancer cells to a        sensitive signature if    -   (i) the second expression level of the two or more of the S1        markers is up-regulated compared to the first expression level,        and optionally    -   (ii) the second expression level of the two or more of the R1        markers is down-regulated compared to the first expression        level.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method comprising measuring,in a cancer cell or population of cancer cells, a first expression levelof one or more S1 markers, and one or more S2 markers, R1 markers, orone or more R2 markers;

measuring, in a cancer cell or population of cancer cells in thepresence of at least one agent, a second expression level of one or moreS1 markers and one or more S2 markers, R1 markers, or one or more R2markers; and identifying the agent as capable of converting a resistantsignature in the cancer cell or population of cancer cells to asensitive signature if

-   -   (i) the second expression level of the one or more of the S1        markers is up-regulated compared to the first expression level        and    -   (ii) the second expression level of the one or more of the S2        markers is up-regulated compared to the first expression level        or    -   (iii) the second expression level of the one or more of the R1        markers is down-regulated compared to the first expression level        or    -   (iv) the second expression level of the one or more of the R2        markers is down-regulated compared to the first expression        level.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method comprising measuring,in a cancer cell or population of cancer cells, a first expression levelof one or more S1 markers, and one or more S2 markers, R1 markers, orone or more R2 markers;

measuring, in a cancer cell or population of cancer cells in thepresence of a MAPK pathway inhibitor and at least one agent, a secondexpression level of one or more S1 markers and one or more S2 markers,R1 markers, or one or more R2 markers; and identifying the agent ascapable of maintaining a sensitive signature in a cancer cell orpopulation of cancer cells in the presence of a MAPK pathway inhibitorif

-   -   (i) the second expression level of the one or more of the S1        markers is up-regulated compared to the first expression level        and    -   (ii) the second expression level of the one or more of the S2        markers is up-regulated compared to the first expression level        or    -   (iii) the second expression level of the one or more of the R1        markers is down-regulated compared to the first expression level        or    -   (iv) the second expression level of the one or more of the R2        markers is down-regulated compared to the first expression        level.

In some embodiments, the MAPK pathway inhibitor is a RAF inhibitor. Insome embodiments, the MAPK pathway inhibitor is a MEK inhibitor. In someembodiments, the MAPK pathway inhibitor is an ERK inhibitor.

In some embodiments, the agent is a member of a molecular library.

In some embodiments, the cancer cell or population of cancer cellscomprises a B-RAF mutation. In some embodiments, the B-RAF mutation isV600E. In some embodiments, the cancer cell or population of cancercells is a melanoma cell or population of melanoma cells.

These and other aspects and embodiments of the invention will now bedescribed in greater detail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a graph of the GI50 for a RAF inhibitor (PLX4720), a MEKinhibitor (AZD6244), a combination of the RAF and MEK inhibitor, and anERK inhibitor (VTX11e) in each patient derived short term culture usedin the validation study. For each group on the x-axis, the bars are,from left to right, PLX4720, AZD6244, PLX+AZD, and VTX11E.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The invention provides molecular profiles (or signatures) for particularcancers that are or are likely to be resistant to therapy with a MAPKpathway inhibitor. The invention further provides molecular profiles (orsignatures) for cancers that are or are likely to be sensitive (orsusceptible) to therapy with a MAPK pathway inhibitor. MAPK pathwayinhibitor therapy is typically used in the treatment of melanoma, andmore particularly in the treatment of BRAF mutant melanoma. Thus, theinvention provides a molecular profile of melanoma subtypes that are orare likely to be resistant or sensitive to MAPK pathway inhibitortherapy.

The invention is premised in part on the identification of molecularsubtypes of melanoma that are either intrinsically resistant orintrinsically sensitive to MAPK pathway inhibitor treatment. Asdescribed herein, a signature of genes was identified whose expressionwas well-correlated with sensitivity or resistance in melanoma cellsthat were intrinsically resistant or sensitive to a MAPK pathwayinhibitor. Genes whose expression was well-correlated with sensitivityor resistance were identified based on an expression pattern across celllines that was strongly correlated (r>0.6, identifying markers ofresistance) or anti-correlated (r<−0.6, identifying markers ofsensitivity) with the IC50 values for the RAF inhibitor PLX4720 in thesame cell lines. These various groupings of markers are listed in Table1.

TABLE 1 Resistance and Sensitivity Markers validation validationdataset: rank dataset: rank as marker of as marker of Resistantresistance Sensitive sensitivity BDNF 82 IGSF11 #N/A KCNMA1 374 FAM167B#N/A DSE #N/A MTUS1 170  PAPPA 102 GYG2 26 CYR61 18 GDF15 280  CCDC80#N/A LINC00518 #N/A CDH13 845 TYR 42 RRAS 167 LRRK2 #N/A PODXL 123 ID458 CLMP #N/A CMTM8 7046  SERPINE1 61 KIAA0226L #N/A EPHA2 236 C11orf96#N/A NRP1 35 D4S234E 19 HRH1 426 SLC45A2 10 SCG5 27 TBC1D16 49 TSPAN5217 TTYH2 #N/A IL1B 13 LAMA1 1951  BEX1 60 PMEL #N/A TMEM200A #N/A PROS1310  BIRC3 430 PLA1A 63 AXL 12 KCNN2 54 TGM2 97 ESRP1 #N/A CD163L1 #N/AST3GAL6 79 S100A16 #N/A DCT  6 NUAK1 139 TRIM63 #N/A TCF4 483 CITED1 57IGFBP6 103 RAB38 66 COL5A1 407 RXRG 137  ITGA3 171 TNFRSF14 60 NTM #N/APLEKHH1 #N/A LOC100130938 #N/A CPN1 45 C12orf75 #N/A PI15 73 FBN2 28GNPTAB 234  CRIM1 33 GALNT3 13 TPM1 119 MREG #N/A COL6A2 289 GPM6B 25CCL2 11 RRAGD 214  EFNB2 88 CAPN3 18 IL1A 290 MLANA  2 RNF144A #N/A MITF14 #NA = not measured

Thus, differential expression profiling was used to identify a molecularsubtype of melanoma that is intrinsically resistant to MAPK pathwayinhibition. In BRAF-mutant melanoma, pharmacologic sensitivity data andsteady-state gene expression profiling data identified expression of,inter alia, BDNF, SCGC5, AXL and gene signatures associated with NF-kBpathway activation and no expression of, inter alia, SLC45A2, GYG2, MITFand its corresponding target genes including for example SILVER (SLV),tyrosinase related protein 1 (TRP1), Melan-A (MelA), and dopachrometautomerase (DCT). This combination of positive resistance markerexpression in the absence of sensitivity marker expression wasidentified as a molecular signature predictive of resistance to MAPKpathway inhibitors.

Also as described herein, these putative markers of sensitivity andresistance were validated in an independent collection ofBRAF_V600-mutant patient-derived melanoma short-term cultures. It waspredicted that MAPK-inhibitor resistant short-term cultures would showlow expression of markers associated with sensitivity and highexpression of markers associated with resistance. Table 1 lists therelative rank of the sensitivity and resistance markers in thevalidation dataset. Accordingly, in some embodiments markers areselected from those above a certain rank as listed in Table 1. Forexample, markers may be selected that are above a rank of 5,000, 1,000,500, 200, 100, 50, 40, 30, 20, or 15 as indicated in Table 1.

Thus in some embodiments, a resistant cancer is identified based inwhole or in part on this signature. The invention contemplatessignatures that comprise these markers in whole or in part, includingsignatures which comprise additional markers that are up-regulated ordown-regulated in resistant melanoma.

The invention further contemplates that the resistant phenotype is areversible state that can be modified and thus reverted to a sensitivestate. It is contemplated that neither the sensitive nor the resistantphenotypes are fixed states, in some instances. It is contemplatedherein that establishment and/or maintenance of the sensitive signatureand of sensitivity may be effected by or may require expression oramplification of MITF, cAMP signaling, and/or other markers ofsensitivity alone or in combination, and that establishment and/ormaintenance of the resistant signature and/or of resistance may beeffected by or may require expression or amplification of AXL, NF-kBsignaling, aberrant MAPK signaling, and/or other markers of resistancealone or in combination. Accordingly, the invention further embracesmethods for monitoring and modifying the “state” of a cancer such asmelanoma before and after treatment with a MAPK pathway inhibitor. Suchmodification may involve inducing the expression of one or moresensitive markers in the cancer cells or down-regulating the expressionof one or more resistant markers in the cancer cells. In this regard,the resistant markers are considered to be targets of therapy inaddition to markers of a particular phenotype.

Certain aspects of the invention are directed towards identifying amolecular signature of a cancer and based on that signature predictingwhether the cancer is more likely to be resistant or more likely to besensitive to therapy with a MAPK pathway inhibitor.

The molecular signatures are typically expression signatures orprofiles. They may be mRNA profiles or they may be protein profiles orthey may be a combination thereof. The profiles may comprise 2 or moremarkers. The profiles may comprise 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31,32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 414, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49,50 or more markers. The markers may be all resistant markers (asdescribed below), all sensitive markers (as described below), or anycombination thereof. The markers may be analyzed individually ortogether on for example an array as described in greater detail herein.Typically, most expression analyses are carried out using cancer cellpopulations, although in some instance they may be carried out using asingle cancer cell. The invention intends to embrace both situations.

As used herein, a cancer that is or is more likely to be resistant totherapy with a MAPK pathway inhibitor has a resistant phenotype.Resistance to MAPK pathway inhibition, as used herein, refers toresistance to inhibition of the MAPK pathway and thus includesresistance to inhibition to any or all of RAF, MEK, RAF+MEK, and ERK.Conversely, a cancer that is or is more likely to be sensitive totherapy with a MAPK pathway inhibitor has a sensitive phenotype.

Resistance Markers

Up-regulated expression of certain markers is associated with theresistant phenotype. These markers are referred to herein as resistancemarkers. These markers are BDNF, KCNMA1, PAPPA, CCDC80, RRAS, CLMP,EPHA2, HRH1, SCG5, TSPAN5, BEX1, TMEM200A, TGM2, CD163L1, S100A16,IGFBP6, ITGA3, LOC100130938, C12orf75, FBN2, CRIM1, COL6A2, and EFNB2.These markers are referred to as R1 markers in the context of thisdisclosure. The invention contemplates that increased expression of anyone of these markers alone can be used to predict whether a cancer has aresistant phenotype.

Up-regulated expression of other markers is also associated with theresistant phenotype. These markers are also referred to herein asresistance markers. These markers are DSE, CYR61, CDH13, PODXL,SERPINE1, NRP1, IL1B, BIRC3, AXL, NUAK1, TCF4, COL5A1, NTM, CCL2, IL1Aand TPM1. These markers are referred to as R2 markers in the context ofthis disclosure. The invention contemplates that increased expression ofany one of these markers together with one or more other markersdisclosed herein can be used to predict whether a cancer has a resistantphenotype. In some embodiments, the R2 marker is used together with anup-regulated R1 marker or a down-regulated S1 marker, or adown-regulated S2 marker. In some embodiments, the R2 marker is usedtogether with an up-regulated RI marker or a down-regulated S1 marker.

All of the foregoing resistance markers are at least 4-fold up-regulatedin resistant cells relative to sensitive cells, such as a mediandifference >2 (log 2 units) between a group of resistant cell lines(HS294T, LOXIMVI, RPMI7951, WM793, IGR39, A2058) and a group ofsensitive cell lines (WM88, UACC62, SKMEL5, WM983B, COL0679, RVH421,G361, WM2664).

A resistant signature may comprise up-regulated expression of one ormore RI markers, optionally with

-   -   (1) up-regulation of one or more R2 markers (e.g., AXL), and/or    -   (2) down-regulation of one or more S1 markers, and/or    -   (3) down-regulation of one or more S2 markers (e.g., MITE and/or        its targets such as but not limited to SILVER (SLY)).

A resistant signature may comprise up-regulated expression of one ormore R2 markers (e.g., AXL), optionally with

-   -   (1) down-regulation of one or more S1 markers, and/or    -   (2) down-regulation of one or more S2 markers (e.g., MITF and/or        its targets such as but not limited to SILVER (SLV)).

A resistant signature may comprise up-regulated expression of one ormore R2 markers (e.g., AXL), optionally with down-regulation of one ormore S2 markers (e.g., MITE and/or its targets such as but not limitedto SILVER (SLV)).

Sensitivity Markers

Up-regulated expression of certain markers is associated with thesensitive phenotype. These markers are referred to herein as sensitivitymarkers. These markers are IGSF11, FAM167B, MTUS1, GDF15, LINC00518,LRRK2, ID4, CMTM8, KIAA0226L, C11orf96, D4S234E, TBC1D16, TTYH2, LAMA1,PMEL, PROS1, KCNN2, ESRP1, TRIM63, RXRG, PLEKHH1, CPN1, PI15, GNPTAB,and RNF144A. These markers are referred to as S1 markers in the contextof this disclosure. The invention contemplates that increased expressionof any one of these markers alone can be used to predict whether acancer has a sensitive phenotype.

Up-regulated expression of other markers is also associated with thesensitive phenotype. These markers are also referred to herein assensitivity markers. These markers are GYG2, TYR, SLC45A2, PLA1A,ST3GAL6, DCT, CITED1, RAB38, TNFRSF14, GALNT3, MREG, GPM6B, RRAGD,CAPN3, MLANA, and MITF. These markers are referred to as S2 markers inthe context of this disclosure. The invention contemplates thatincreased expression of any one of these markers together with one ormore other markers disclosed herein can be used to predict whether acancer has a sensitive phenotype. In some embodiments, the S2 marker isused together with an up-regulated S1 marker or a down-regulated R1marker, or a down-regulated R2 marker. In some embodiments, the S2marker is used together with an up-regulated S1 marker or adown-regulated R1 marker.

All of the foregoing resistance markers are at least 4-fold up-regulatedin sensitive cells relative to resistant cells, such as a mediandifference >2 (log 2 units) between a group of sensitive cell lines(WM88, UACC62, SKMEL5, WM983B, COL0679, RVH421, G361, WM2664) and agroup of resistant cell lines (HS294T, LOXIMVI, RPMI7951, WM793, IGR39,A2058).

A sensitive signature may comprise up-regulated expression of one ormore S1 markers, optionally with

-   -   (1) up-regulation of one or more S2 markers (e.g., MITF and/or        its targets such as but not limited to SILVER (SLV)), and/or    -   (2) down-regulation of one or more R1 markers, and/or    -   (3) down-regulation of one or more R2 markers (e.g., AXL).

A sensitive signature may comprise up-regulated expression of one ormore S2 markers (e.g., MITF and/or its targets such as but not limitedto SILVER (SLV)), optionally with

-   -   (1) down-regulation of one or more R1 markers, and/or    -   (2) down-regulation of one or more R2 markers (e.g., AXL).

A sensitive signature may comprise up-regulated expression of one ormore S2 markers (e.g., MITF and/or its targets such as but not limitedto SILVER (SLV)), optionally with down-regulation of one or more R2markers (e.g., AXL).

Gene identifiers for the resistance and sensitivity markers are providedin Table 2.

TABLE 2 Human Gene Entrez ID Transcript IDs Resistant BDNF 627NM_001143805.1 NM_001143806.1 NM_001143807.1 NM_001143808.1NM_001143809.1 NM_001143810.1 NM_001143811.1 NM_001143812.1NM_001143813.1 NM_001143814.1 NM_001143816.1 NM_001709.4 NM_170731.4NM_170732.4 NM_170733.3 NM_170734.3 NM_170735.5 KCNMA1 3778NM_001014797.2 NM_001161352.1 NM_001161353.1 NM_001271518.1NM_001271519.1 NM_001271520.1 NM_001271521.1 NM_001271522.1 NM_002247.3DSE 29940 NM_001080976.1 NM_013352.2 PAPPA 5069 NM_002581.3 CYR61 3491NM_001554.4 CCDC80 151887 NM_199511.1 NM_199512.1 CDH13 1012NM_001220488.1 NM_001220489.1 NM_001220490.1 NM_001220491.1NM_001220492.1 NM_001257.4 RRAS 6237 NM_006270.3 PODXL 5420NM_001018111.2 NM_005397.3 CLMP 79827 NM_024769.2 SERPINE1 5054NM_000602.4 NM_001165413.2 EPHA2 1969 NM_004431.3 NRP1 8829NM_001024628.2 NM_001024629.2 NM_001244972.1 NM_001244973.1 NM_003873.5HRH1 3269 NM_000861.3 NM_001098211.1 NM_001098212.1 NM_001098213.1 SCG56447 NM_001144757.1 NM_003020.3 TSPAN5 10098 NM_005723.3 IL1B 3553NM_000576.2 BEX1 55859 NM_018476.3 TMEM200A 114801 NM_001258276.1NM_001258277.1 NM_001258278.1 NM_052913.2 BIRC3 330 NM_001165.4NM_182962.2 AXL 558 NM_001699.4 NM_021913.3 TGM2 7052 NM_004613.2NM_198951.1 CD163L1 283316 NM_174941.4 S100A16 140576 NM_080388.1 NUAK19891 NM_014840.2 TCF4 6925 NM_001083962.1 NM_001243226.1 NM_001243227.1NM_001243228.1 NM_001243230.1 NM_001243231.1 NM_001243232.1NM_001243233.1 NM_001243234.1 NM_001243235.1 NM_001243236.1 NM_003199.2IGFBP6 3489 NM_002178.2 COL5A1 1289 NM_000093.3 ITGA3 3675 NM_002204.2NM_005501.2 NTM 50863 NM_001048209.1 NM_001144058.1 NM_001144059.1NM_016522.2 LOC100130938 100130938 C12orf75 387882 NM_001145199.1 FBN22201 NM_001999.3 CRIM1 51232 NM_016441.2 TPM1 7168 NM_000366.5NM_001018004.1 NM_001018005.1 NM_001018006.1 NM_001018007.1NM_001018008.1 NM_001018020.1 COL6A2 1292 NM_001849.3 NM_058174.2NM_058175.2 CCL2 6347 NM_002982.3 EFNB2 1948 NM_004093.3 IL1A 3552NM_000575.3 Sensitive IGSF11 152404 NM_001015887.1 NM_152538.2 FAM167B84734 NM_032648.2 MTUS1 57509 NM_001001924.2 NM_001001925.2NM_001001931.2 NM_001166393.1 NM_020749.4 GYG2 8908 NM_001079855.1NM_001184702.1 NM_001184703.1 NM_001184704.1 NM_003918.2 GDF15 9518NM_004864.2 LINC00518 221718 TYR 7299 NM_000372.4 LRRK2 120892NM_198578.3 ID4 3400 NM_001546.3 CMTM8 152189 NM_178868.3 KIAA0226L80183 NM_025113.2 C11orf96 387763 NM_001145033.1 D4S234E 27065NM_001040101.1 NM_014392.3 SLC45A2 51151 NM_001012509.2 NM_016180.3TBC1D16 125058 NM_001271844.1 NM_001271845.1 NM_001271846.1 NM_019020.3TTYH2 94015 NM_032646.5 NM_052869.1 LAMA1 284217 NM_005559.3 PMEL 6490NM_001200053.1 NM_001200054.1 NM_006928.4 PROS1 5627 NM_000313.3 PLA1A51365 NM_001206960.1 NM_001206961.1 NM_015900.3 KCNN2 3781 NM_021614.2NM_170775.1 ESRP1 54845 NM_001034915.2 NM_001122825.1 NM_001122826.1NM_001122827.1 NM_017697.3 ST3GAL6 10402 NM_001271142.1 NM_001271145.1NM_001271146.1 NM_001271147.1 NM_001271148.1 NM_006100.3 DCT 1638NM_001129889.1 NM_001922.3 TRIM63 84676 NM_032588.3 CITED1 4435NM_001144885.1 NM_001144886.1 NM_001144887.1 NM_004143.3 RAB38 23682NM_022337.2 RXRG 6258 NM_001256570.1 NM_001256571.1 NM_006917.4 TNFRSF148764 NM_003820.2 PLEKHH1 57475 NM_020715.2 CPN1 1369 NM_001308.2 PI1551050 NM_015886.3 GNPTAB 79158 NM_024312.4 GALNT3 2591 NM_004482.3 MREG55686 NM_018000.2 GPM6B 2824 NM_001001994.1 NM_001001995.1NM_001001996.1 NM_005278.3 RRAGD 58528 NM_021244.4 CAPN3 825 NM_000070.2NM_024344.1 NM_173087.1 NM_173088.1 NM_173089.1 NM_173090.1 MLANA 2315NM_005511.1 RNF144A 9781 NM_014746.3 MITF 4286 NM_000248.3NM_001184967.1 NM_001184968.1 NM_006722.2 NM_198158.2 NM_198159.2NM_198177.2 NM_198178.2

Marker Expression

As used herein, dis-regulation of a marker (whether that beup-regulation or down-regulation) is defined relative to either aresistant or a sensitive cancer. For example, if a marker isup-regulated for example 4-fold in a resistant cell, this means that itsexpression level in a resistant cell (or population) is 4-fold higherthan its expression in a sensitive cell (or population).

Up-regulation may mean detectable expression of a marker in a testsample (e.g., a cancer) where a control sample has undetectableexpression of the marker. It may mean an increased level of expressionof a marker in a test sample relative to a control sample that hasdetectable expression of the marker. In the latter case, the level ofexpression of up-regulated markers is greater than 1-fold, and may be2-fold, 3-fold, 4-fold, or 5-fold higher than the resistant or sensitivepopulation of cells, as described above.

As used herein, down-regulation of a marker is defined relative to acontrol. It may mean undetectable expression of a marker in a testsample (e.g., a cancer) where a control sample has detectable expressionof the marker. It may mean a decreased level of expression of a markerin a test sample relative to a control sample that has detectableexpression of the marker. In the latter case, the level of expression ofdown-regulated markers may be decreased by greater than 1-fold, and maybe 1.5-fold, 2-fold, 3-fold, 4-fold, 5-fold, or more relative to theresistant or sensitive population of cells, as described cells.

MAPK Pathway

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade is a criticalintracellular signaling pathway that regulates signal transduction inresponse to diverse extracellular stimuli, including growth factors,cytokines, and proto-oncogenes. Activation of this pathway results intranscription factor activation and alterations in gene expression,which ultimately lead to changes in cellular functions including cellproliferation, cell cycle regulation, cell survival, angiogenesis andcell migration. Classical MAPK signaling is initiated by receptortyrosine kinases at the cell surface, however many other cell surfacemolecules are capable of activating the MAPK cascade, includingintegrins, heterotrimeric G-proteins, and cytokine receptors.

Ligand binding to a cell surface receptor, e.g., a receptor tyrosinekinase, typically results in phosphorylation of the receptor. Theadaptor protein Grb2 associates with the phosphorylated intracellulardomain of the activated receptor, and this association recruits guaninenucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) including SOS-I and CDCl₂5 to thecell membrane. These particular GEFs interact with and activate theGTPase Ras. Common Ras isoforms include K-Ras, N-Ras, H-Ras and others.Following Ras activation, the serine/threonine kinase Raf (e.g., A-Raf,B-Raf or Raf-1) is recruited to the cell membrane through interactionwith Ras. Raf is then phosphorylated. Raf directly activates MEK1 andMEK2 by phosphorylation of two serine residues at positions 217 and 221.Following activation, MEK1 and MEK2 phosphorylate tyrosine (Tyr-185) andthreonine (Thr-183) residues in serine/threonine kinases Erk1 and Erk2,resulting in Erk activation. Activated Erk regulates many targets in thecytosol and also translocates to the nucleus, where it phosphorylates anumber of transcription factors regulating gene expression. Erk kinasehas numerous targets, including Elk-I, c-Etsl, c-Ets2, p90RSK1, MNK1,MNK2, MSK1, MSK2 and TOB. While the foregoing pathway is a classicalrepresentation of MAPK signaling, there is considerable cross talkbetween the MAPK pathway and other signaling cascades.

Aberrations in MAPK signaling have a significant role in cancer biology.Altered expression of Ras is common in many cancers, and activatingmutations in Ras have also been identified. Such mutations are found inup to 30% of all cancers, and are especially common in pancreatic (90%)and colon (50%) carcinomas. In addition, activating Raf mutations havebeen identified in melanoma and ovarian cancer. The most commonmutation, BRAF^(V600E), results in constitutive activation of thedownstream MAP kinase pathway and is required for melanoma cellproliferation, soft agar growth, and tumor xenograft formation. Based onthese observations, certain MAPK pathway inhibitors have been targetedin various cancer therapies. However, it has also been observed thatcertain patients have or develop a resistance to certain of thesetherapies.

Expression Assays

Diagnostic, prognostic, and theranostic assays of the invention involveassaying gene copy, mRNA expression, protein expression and/or activityof one or more markers. The art is familiar with assays for copy number,mRNA expression levels, protein expression levels, and activity levelsof the one or more markers (see, e.g., Sambrook, Fritsch and Maniatis,MOLECULAR CLONING: A LABORATORY MANUAL, (Current Edition); CURRENTPROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (F. M. Ausubel et al. eds., (CurrentEdition)); the series METHODS IN ENZYMOLOGY (Academic Press, Inc.): PCR2: A PRACTICAL APPROACH (Current Edition) ANTIBODIES, A LABORATORYMANUAL and ANIMAL CELL CULTURE (R. I. Freshney, ed. (1987)). DNACloning: A Practical Approach, vol. I & II (D. Glover, ed.);Oligonucleotide Synthesis (N. Gait, ed., Current Edition); Nucleic AcidHybridization (B. Hames & S. Higgins, eds., Current Edition);Transcription and Translation (B. Hames & S. Higgins, eds., CurrentEdition); Fundamental Virology, 2nd Edition, vol. I & II (B. N. Fieldsand D. M. Knipe, eds.).

Expression Level Analysis

The invention contemplates methods that involve measuring the mRNA orprotein levels for one or more of the resistance and sensitivity markersprovided herein and comparing such levels to control levels, includingfor example predetermined thresholds.

mRNA Assays

The art is familiar with various methods for analyzing mRNA levels.Examples of mRNA-based assays include but are not limited tooligonucleotide microarray assays, quantitative RT-PCR, Northernanalysis, and multiplex bead-based assays.

Expression profiles of cells in a biological sample (e.g., blood or atumor) can be carried out using an oligonucleotide microarray analysis.As an example, this analysis may be carried out using a commerciallyavailable oligonucleotide microarray or a custom designedoligonucleotide microarray comprising oligonucleotides for all or asubset of the transcripts described herein. The microarray may compriseany number of the transcripts, as the invention contemplates thatelevated risk may be determined based on the analysis of singledifferentially expressed transcripts or a combination of differentiallyexpressed transcripts. The transcripts may be those that areup-regulated in tumors carrying a germ-line risk marker (compared to atumor that does not carry the germ-line risk marker), or those that aredown-regulated in tumors carrying a germ-line risk marker (compared to atumor that does not carry the germ-line risk marker), or a combinationof these. The number of transcripts measured using the microarraytherefore may be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or more transcripts encodedby a gene in Table 2. It is to be understood that such arrays mayhowever also comprise positive and/or negative control transcripts suchas housekeeping genes that can be used to determine if the array hasbeen degraded and/or if the sample has been degraded or contaminated.The art is familiar with the construction of oligonucleotide arrays.

Commercially available gene expression systems include AffymetrixGeneChip microarrays as well as all of Illumina standard expressionarrays, including two GeneChip 450 Fluidics Stations and a GeneChip 3000Scanner, Affymetrix High-Throughput Array (HTA) System composed of aGeneStation liquid handling robot and a GeneChip HT Scanner providingautomated sample preparation, hybridization, and scanning for 96-wellAffymetrix PEGarrays. These systems can be used in the cases of small orpotentially degraded RNA samples. The invention also contemplatesanalyzing expression levels from fixed samples (as compared to freshlyisolated samples). The fixed samples include formalin-fixed and/orparaffin-embedded samples. Such samples may be analyzed using the wholegenome Illumina DASL assay. High-throughput gene expression profileanalysis can also be achieved using bead-based solutions, such asLuminex systems.

Other mRNA detection and quantitation methods include multiplexdetection assays known in the art, e.g., xMAP® bead capture anddetection (Luminex Corp., Austin, Tex.).

Another exemplary method is a quantitative RT-PCR assay which may becarried out as follows: mRNA is extracted from cells in a biologicalsample (e.g., blood or a tumor) using the RNeasy kit (Qiagen). TotalmRNA is used for subsequent reverse transcription using the SuperScriptIII First-Strand Synthesis SuperMix (Invitrogen) or the SuperScript VILOcDNA synthesis kit (Invitrogen). 5 μl of the RT reaction is used forquantitative PCR using SYBR Green PCR Master Mix and gene-specificprimers, in triplicate, using an ABI 7300 Real Time PCR System.

mRNA detection binding partners include oligonucleotide or modifiedoligonucleotide (e.g. locked nucleic acid) probes that hybridize to atarget mRNA. Probes may be designed using the sequences associated withthe sequence identifiers listed in Table 2. Methods for designing andproducing oligonucleotide probes are well known in the art (see, e.g.,U.S. Pat. No. 8,036,835; Rimour et al. GoArrays: highly dynamic andefficient microarray probe design. Bioinformatics (2005) 21 (7):1094-1103; and Wernersson et al. Probe selection for DNA microarraysusing OligoWiz. Nat Protoc. 2007; 2(11):2677-91).

Protein Assays

The art is familiar with various methods for measuring protein levels.Protein levels may be measured using protein-based assays such as butnot limited to immunoassays, Western blots, Western immunoblotting,multiplex bead-based assays, and assays involving aptamers (such asSOMAmer™ technology) and related affinity agents.

A brief description of an exemplary immunoassay is provided here. Abiological sample is applied to a substrate having bound to its surfaceprotein-specific binding partners (i.e., immobilized protein-specificbinding partners). The protein-specific binding partner (which may bereferred to as a “capture ligand” because it functions to capture andimmobilize the protein on the substrate) may be an antibody or anantigen-binding antibody fragment such as Fab, F(ab)2, Fv, single chainantibody, Fab and sFab fragment, F(ab′)2, Fd fragments, scFv, and dAbfragments, although it is not so limited. Other binding partners aredescribed herein. Protein present in the biological sample bind to thecapture ligands, and the substrate is washed to remove unbound material.The substrate is then exposed to soluble protein-specific bindingpartners (which may be identical to the binding partners used toimmobilize the protein). The soluble protein-specific binding partnersare allowed to bind to their respective proteins immobilized on thesubstrate, and then unbound material is washed away. The substrate isthen exposed to a detectable binding partner of the solubleprotein-specific binding partner. In one embodiment, the solubleprotein-specific binding partner is an antibody having some or all ofits Fc domain. Its detectable binding partner may be an anti-Fc domainantibody. As will be appreciated by those in the art, if more than oneprotein is being detected, the assay may be configured so that thesoluble protein-specific binding partners are all antibodies of the sameisotype. In this way, a single detectable binding partner, such as anantibody specific for the common isotype, may be used to bind to all ofthe soluble protein-specific binding partners bound to the substrate.

It is to be understood that the substrate may comprise capture ligandsfor one or more proteins, including two or more, three or more, four ormore, five or more, etc. up to and including all the proteins encoded bythe resistance and sensitivity markers provided by the invention.

Other examples of protein detection and quantitation methods includemultiplexed immunoassays as described for example in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,939,720 and 8,148,171, and published US Patent Application No.2008/0255766, and protein microarrays as described for example inpublished US Patent Application No. 2009/0088329.

Protein detection binding partners include protein-specific bindingpartners. Protein-specific binding partners can be generated usingsequences associated with the sequence identifiers listed in Table 2. Insome embodiments, binding partners may be antibodies. As used herein,the term “antibody” refers to a protein that includes at least oneimmunoglobulin variable domain or immunoglobulin variable domainsequence. For example, an antibody can include a heavy (H) chainvariable region (abbreviated herein as VH), and a light (L) chainvariable region (abbreviated herein as VL). In another example, anantibody includes two heavy (H) chain variable regions and two light (L)chain variable regions. The term “antibody” encompasses antigen-bindingfragments of antibodies (e.g., single chain antibodies, Fab and sFabfragments, F(ab′)2, Fd fragments, Fv fragments, scFv, and dAb fragments)as well as complete antibodies. Methods for making antibodies andantigen-binding fragments are well known in the art (see, e.g. Sambrooket al, “Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual” (2nd Ed.), Cold SpringHarbor Laboratory Press (1989); Lewin, “Genes IV”, Oxford UniversityPress, New York, (1990), and Roitt et al., “Immunology” (2nd Ed.), GowerMedical Publishing, London, N.Y. (1989), WO2006/040153, WO2006/122786,and WO2003/002609).

Binding partners also include non-antibody proteins or peptides thatbind to or interact with a target protein, e.g., through non-covalentbonding. For example, if the protein is a ligand, a binding partner maybe a receptor for that ligand. In another example, if the protein is areceptor, a binding partner may be a ligand for that receptor. In yetanother example, a binding partner may be a protein or peptide known tointeract with a protein. Methods for producing proteins are well knownin the art (see, e.g. Sambrook et al, “Molecular Cloning: A LaboratoryManual” (2nd Ed.), Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (1989) and Lewin,“Genes IV”, Oxford University Press, New York, (1990)) and can be usedto produce binding partners such as ligands or receptors.

Binding partners also include aptamers and other related affinityagents. Aptamers include oligonucleic acid or peptide molecules thatbind to a specific target. Methods for producing aptamers to a targetare known in the art (see, e.g., published US Patent Application No.2009/0075834, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,435,542, 7,807,351, and 7,239,742). Otherexamples of affinity agents include SOMAmer™ (Slow Off-rate ModifiedAptamer, SomaLogic, Boulder, Colo.) modified nucleic acid-based proteinbinding reagents.

Binding partners also include any molecule capable of demonstratingselective binding to any one of the target proteins disclosed herein,e.g., peptoids (see, e.g., Reyna J Simon et al., “Peptoids: a modularapproach to drug discovery” Proceedings of the National Academy ofSciences USA, (1992), 89(20), 9367-9371; U.S. Pat. No. 5,811,387; and M.Muralidhar Reddy et al., Identification of candidate IgG biomarkers forAlzheimer's disease via combinatorial library screening. Cell 144,132-142, Jan. 7, 2011).

Copy Number and Activity Levels

Copy number can be measured, for example, using sequencing, fluorescencein situ hybridization (FISH) or a Southern blot.

Methods for measuring a marker activity are also known in the art andcommercially available (see, e.g., enzyme and protein activity assaysfrom Invitrogen, Piercenet, AbCam, EMD Millipore, or Sigma Aldrich).Non-limiting examples of assays for measuring marker activity includewestern blot, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), fluorescentactivated cell sorting (FACS), luciferase or chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter assay, protease colorimetric assay,immunoprecipitation (including Chromatin-IP), PCR, qPCR, or fluorescenceresonance energy transfer.

Non-limiting examples of marker activities include phosphorylation(kinase or phosphotase activity), ubiquitination, SUMOylation,Neddylation, cytoplasmic or nuclear localization, binding to a bindingpartner (such as a protein, DNA, RNA, ATP, or GTP), transcription,translation, post-translation modification (such as glycosylation,methylation, or acetylation), chromatin modification, proteolysis,receptor activation or inhibition, cyclic AMP activation orinactivation, GTPase activation or inactivation, electron transfer,hydrolysis, or oxidation.

Marker activity may be measured indirectly. For example, if a markermust be phosphorylated or dephosphorylated before becoming active, aphosphorylation level of the marker may indicate an activity level.

Detectable Labels

Detectable binding partners may be directly or indirectly detectable. Adirectly detectable binding partner may be labeled with a detectablelabel such as a fluorophore. An indirectly detectable binding partnermay be labeled with a moiety that acts upon (e.g., an enzyme or acatalytic domain) or a moiety that is acted upon (e.g., a substrate) byanother moiety in order to generate a detectable signal. Exemplarydetectable labels include, e.g., enzymes, radioisotopes, haptens,biotin, and fluorescent, luminescent and chromogenic substances. Thesevarious methods and moieties for detectable labeling are known in theart.

Controls

The control may be an expression level in a tissue, subject, or apopulation of subjects, or a cell line.

It is to be understood that the methods provided herein do not requirethat a control level be measured every time a subject is tested. Rather,it is contemplated that control levels may be obtained and recorded andthat any test level is compared to such a pre-determined level oridentity (or threshold).

Devices

Other aspects of the invention relate to devices. In some embodiments,the device comprises a sample inlet and a substrate, wherein thesubstrate comprises one or more binding partners for one or more markersas described herein. In some embodiments, the device is a microarray.

It is to be understood that the device may comprise binding partners forany combination of markers described herein or that can be contemplatedby one of ordinary skill in the art based on the teachings providedherein.

The device may also comprise binding partners for one or more controlmarkers. The control markers may be positive control markers (e.g., toensure the device has maintained its integrity) and/or negative controlmarkers (e.g., to identify contamination or to ensure the device hasmaintained its specificity). The nature of the control markers willdepend in part on the nature of the biological sample.

The device may comprise binding partners for 1-150, 1-100, 1-50, 1-20,1-10, 1-5, 2-150, 2-100, 2-50, 2-20, 2-10, 2-5, 3-150, 3-100, 3-50,3-20, 3-10, 3-5, 4-150, 4-100, 4-50, 4-20, 4-10, 5-150, 5-100, 5-50,5-20, 1-150, 1-100, 1-50, 1-20, 10-150, 10-100, 10-50, 10-20, 50-150,50-100, or 100-150 of the markers recited herein.

The binding partners may be antibodies, antigen-binding antibodyfragments, receptors, ligands, aptamers, nucleotides and the like,provided they bind selectively to the marker being tested and do notbind appreciably to any other marker that may be present in thebiological sample loaded onto the device.

The binding partners may be provided on the substrate in a predeterminedspatial arrangement. A substrate, as used herein in this context, refersto a solid support to which marker-specific binding partners may bebound. The substrate may be paper or plastic (e.g., polystyrene) or someother material that is amenable to the marker measurement. The substratemay have a planar surface although it is not so limited. In someinstances, the substrate is a bead or sphere.

The art is familiar with diagnostic devices and reference can be made toU.S. Pat. Nos. 7,897,356 and 7,323,143, and published US PatentApplication Publication No. US 2008/0267999, and Martinez et al. PNAS,2008, 105 (50): 19606-19611, all of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

Diagnostic/Prognostic/Theranostic Methods

The invention therefore provides methods of detecting the presence ofone and preferably more than one (in the form of a signature)predictive, diagnostic or prognostic markers in a sample (e.g., abiological sample from a cancer patient, preferably from a patienthaving melanoma or other cancer being treated with or being consideredfor treatment with a MAPK pathway inhibitor). A variety of screeningmethods known to one of skill in the art may be used to detect thepresence and the level of the markers in the sample including DNA, RNAand protein detection.

In some embodiments, the subject may have or may be at risk ofdeveloping intrinsic or acquired resistance to MAP kinase targetedtherapies, including RAF inhibitors, MEK inhibitors, and/or ERKinhibitors. The subject may or may be currently receiving a MAPK pathwayinhibitor. For example, the subject may have a resistance to RAFinhibitors, such as PLX4720 and/or PLX4032. In some embodiments, thesubject may have resistance to a MEK inhibitor, such as AZD6244. In someembodiments, the subject may have resistance to an ERK inhibitor, suchas VTX11e. The resistance may be intrinsic or acquired. In someembodiments, the resistance is intrinsic resistance.

As used herein, “resistance” includes a non-responsiveness or decreasedresponsiveness in a subject to treatment with an inhibitor.Non-responsiveness or decreased responsiveness may include an absence ora decrease of the benefits of treatment, such as a decrease or cessationof the relief, reduction or alleviation of at least one symptom of thedisease in the subject. For example, in a subject having a cancer thatin not resistant to (i.e., sensitive to) a MAPK pathway inhibitor,administration of the inhibitor to the subject may result in a reductionof tumor burden or complete eradication of the cancer. On the otherhand, in a subject having a cancer resistant to a MAPK pathwayinhibitor, administration of the inhibitor to the subject may result inno reduction of tumor burden (or a smaller reduction in tumor burdenthan would be observed with a sensitive cancer) and/or no eradication ofthe cancer.

As used herein, “intrinsic resistance” describes a cancer that isnaturally resistant to an inhibitor. As used herein, “acquiredresistance” describes a cancer that develops resistance to an inhibitorafter administration of the inhibitor to the subject.

Identification of the signatures of the invention in a subject mayassist a physician or other medical professional in determining atreatment protocol for the subject. For example, in a subject having acancer with a resistant signature, the physician may treat the subjectwith a different therapy than that which would have otherwise beenprescribed. In a subject having a cancer with a sensitive signature, thephysician may treat the subject with a MAPK pathway inhibitor.

Inhibitors

Aspects of the invention relate to MAPK pathway inhibitors. MAPK pathwayinhibitors include RAF, MEK, and ERK inhibitors.

The inhibitor may target the gene, mRNA expression, protein expression,and/or activity, in all instances reducing the level and/or activity, inwhole or in part, of the target of the inhibitor (e.g., RAF, MEK, orERK).

Non-limiting examples of RAF inhibitors include RAF265, sorafenib,dabrafenib (GSK2118436), SB590885, PLX 4720, PLX4032, GDC-0879 and/or ZM336372. By way of non-limiting example, exemplary RAF inhibitors areshown in Table 3 and thereafter.

TABLE 3 Exemplary RAF Inhibitors (9 exemplary compounds) Compound 1,Name: RAF265, CAS No.: 927880-90-8

Compound 2, Name: Sorafenib Tosylate (Nexavar, Bay 43-9006), CAS No.:475207-59-1

Compound 3, Name: Sorafenib 4-[4-[[4-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]carbamoylamino]phenoxy]-N-methyl-pyridine-2-carboxamide, CAS No.:284461-73-0

Compound 4, Name: SB590885

Compound 5, Name: PLX4720, CAS No.: 918505-84-7

Compound 6, Name: PLX4032, CAS No.: 1029872-54-5

Compound 7, Name: GDC-0879, CAS No.: 905281-76-7

Compound 8, Name: ZM 336372, CAS No.: 208260-29-1

Compound 9, Name: Dabrafenib, CAS No.: 1195765-45-7

Additional examples of RAF inhibitors therefore include PLX4720,PLX4032, BAY 43-9006 (Sorafenib), ZM 336372, RAF 265, AAL-881, LBT-613,or CJS352 (NVP-AAL881-NX (hereafter referred to as AAL881) andNVP-LBT613-AG-8 (LBT613) are isoquinoline compounds (Novartis,Cambridge, Mass.). Additional exemplary RAF inhibitors useful forcombination therapy include pan-RAF inhibitors, inhibitors of B-RAF,inhibitors of A-RAF, and inhibitors of RAF-1. In exemplary embodimentsRAF inhibitors useful for combination therapy include PLX4720, PLX4032,BAY 43-9006 (Sorafenib), ZM 336372, RAF 265, AAL-881, LBT-613, andCJS352. Exemplary RAF inhibitors further include the compounds set forthin PCT Publication No. WO/2008/028141, the specific teachings of whichare incorporated herein by reference. Exemplary RAF inhibitorsadditionally include the quinazolinone derivatives described in PCTPublication No. WO/2006/024836, and the pyridinylquinazolinaminederivatives described in PCT Publication No. WO/2008/020203, thespecific inhibitor teachings of which are incorporated herein byreference.

Non-limiting examples of MEK inhibitors include, AZD6244,CI-1040/PD184352, PD318088, PD98059, PD334581, RDEA119,6-Methoxy-7-(3-morpholin-4-yl-propoxy)-4-(4-phenoxy-phenylamino)-quinoline-3-carbonitrileand4-[3-Chloro-4-(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-ylsulfanyl)-phenylamino]-6-methoxy-7-(3-morpholin-4-yl-propoxy)-quinoline-3-carbonitrile,trametinib (GSK1120212), and/or ARRY-438162. By way of non-limitingexample, exemplary MEK inhibitors are shown in Table 4 and thereafter.

TABLE 4 Exemplary MEK Inhibitors (9 exemplary compounds) Compound 1,Name: CI-1040/PD184352, CAS No.: 212631-79-3

Compound 2, Name: AZD6244, CAS No.: 606143-52-6

Compound 3, Name: PD318088, CAS No.: 391210-00-7

Compound 4, Name: PD98059, CAS No.: 167869-21-8

Compound 5, Name: PD334581

Compound 6, Name: RDEA119 (N-[3,4-difluoro-2-[(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)amino]-6-methoxyphenyl]-1-[(2R)-2,3-dihydroxypropyl]-Cyclopropanesulfonamide), CAS No.: 923032-38-6

Compound 7, Name: 6-Methoxy-7-(3-morpholin-4-yl-propoxy)-4-(4-phenoxy-phenylamino)-quinoline-3-carbonitrile

Compound 8, Name: 4-[3-Chloro-4-(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-ylsulfanyl)-phenylamino]-6-methoxy-7-(3-morpholin-4-yl-propoxy)-quinoline-3-carbonitrile

Compound 9, Name: Trametinib, CAS No.: 871700-17-3

Additional MEK inhibitors include the compounds described in thefollowing patent publications, the specific inhibitor teachings of whichare incorporated herein by reference: WO 2008076415, US 20080166359, WO2008067481, WO 2008055236, US 20080188453, US 20080058340, WO2007014011, WO 2008024724, US 20080081821, WO 2008024725, US20080085886, WO 2008021389, WO 2007123939, US 20070287709, WO2007123936, US 20070287737, US 20070244164, WO 2007121481, US20070238710, WO 2007121269, WO 2007096259, US 20070197617, WO2007071951, EP 1966155, IN 2008MN01163, WO 2007044084, AU 2006299902, CA2608201, EP 1922307, EP 1967516, MX 200714540, IN 2007DN09015, NO2007006412, KR 2008019236, WO 2007044515, AU 2006302415, CA 2622755, EP1934174, IN 2008DN02771, KR 2008050601, WO 2007025090, US 20070049591,WO 2007014011, AU 2006272837, CA 2618218, EP 1912636, US 20080058340, MX200802114, KR 2008068637, US 20060194802, WO 2006133417, WO 2006058752,AU 2005311451, CA 2586796, EP 1828184, JP 2008521858, US 20070299103, NO2007003393, WO 2006056427, AU 2005308956, CA 2587178, EP 1838675, JP2008520615, NO 2007003259, US 20070293544, WO 2006045514, AU 2005298932,CA 2582247, EP 1802579, CN 101065358, JP 2008517024, IN 2007DN02762, MX200704781, KR 2007067727, NO 2007002595, JP 2006083133, WO 2006029862,US 20060063814, U.S. Pat. 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Non-limiting examples of ERK inhibitors include VTX11e, AEZS-131(Aeterna Zentaris), PD98059, FR180204, and/or FR148083. By way ofnon-limiting example, exemplary MEK inhibitors are shown in Table 5 andthereafter.

TABLE 5 Exemplary ERK Inhibitors (4 exemplary compounds) Compound 1,Name: VTX11e

Compound 2, Name: PD98059, CAS No.: 167869-21-8

Compound 3, Name: FR180204, CAS No.: 865362-74-9

Compound 4, Name: FR148083 (5Z-7-oxozeaenol), CAS No.: 253863-19- 3

Additional ERK inhibitors include the compounds described in thefollowing patents and patent publications, the specific inhibitorteachings of which are incorporated herein by reference: US 20120214823,US20070191604, US20090118284, US20110189192, U.S. Pat. No. 6,528,509,EP2155722A1, and EP2170893A1.

In some embodiments, two MAPK pathway inhibitors may be used incombination, for example, wherein one of a first of the two MAPK pathwayinhibitors is a RAF inhibitor and a second of the two MAPK pathwayinhibitors is a MEK inhibitor. In some embodiments, the first inhibitoris dabrafenib and the second inhibitor is trametinib.

Treatment Methods

The term “treat”, “treated,” “treating” or “treatment” is used herein tomean to relieve, reduce or alleviate at least one symptom of a diseasein a subject. For example, treatment can be diminishment of one orseveral symptoms of a disorder or complete eradication of a disorder,such as cancer. Within the meaning of the present invention, the term“treat” also denote to arrest, delay the onset (i.e., the period priorto clinical manifestation of a disease) and/or reduce the risk ofdeveloping or worsening a disease. The term “protect” is used herein tomean prevent delay or treat, or all, as appropriate, development orcontinuance or aggravation of a disease in a subject. Within the meaningof the present invention, the disease is associated with a cancer.

The term “subject” or “patient” is intended to include animals, whichare capable of suffering from or afflicted with a cancer or any disorderinvolving, directly or indirectly, a cancer. Examples of subjectsinclude mammals, e.g., humans, dogs, cows, horses, pigs, sheep, goats,cats, mice, rabbits, rats, and transgenic non-human animals. In certainembodiments, the subject is a human, e.g., a human having, at risk ofhaving, or potentially capable of having cancer.

The term “cancer” is used herein to mean malignant solid tumors as wellas hematological malignancies.

In particularly important embodiments, the cancer is one that would havebeen treated using a MAPK pathway inhibitor. In some instances, thecancer is melanoma. The melanoma may be metastatic melanoma.

The cancer may be associated with a mutation in the B-RAF gene. Thesecancers include melanoma, breast cancer, colorectal cancers, glioma,lung cancer, ovarian cancer, sarcoma and thyroid cancer. The cancer maybe a BRAF mutant melanoma. In some embodiments, the mutation in a B-RAFgene is V600E.

Additional examples of such tumors include but are not limited toleukemias, lymphomas, myelomas, carcinomas, metastatic carcinomas,sarcomas, adenomas, nervous system cancers and genitourinary cancers,specific examples of which include but are not limited to adult andpediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia,adrenocortical carcinoma, AIDS-related cancers, anal cancer, cancer ofthe appendix, astrocytoma, basal cell carcinoma, bile duct cancer,bladder cancer, bone cancer, osteosarcoma, fibrous histiocytoma, braincancer, brain stem glioma, cerebellar astrocytoma, malignant glioma,ependymoma, medulloblastoma, supratentorial primitive neuroectodermaltumors, hypothalamic glioma, breast cancer, male breast cancer,bronchial adenomas, Burkitt lymphoma, carcinoid tumor, carcinoma ofunknown origin, central nervous system lymphoma, cerebellar astrocytoma,malignant glioma, cervical cancer, childhood cancers, chroniclymphocytic leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia, chronicmyeloproliferative disorders, colorectal cancer, cutaneous T-celllymphoma, endometrial cancer, ependymoma, esophageal cancer, Ewingfamily tumors, extracranial germ cell tumor, extragonadal germ celltumor, extrahepatic bile duct cancer, retinoblastoma, gallbladdercancer, gastric cancer, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, extracranialgerm cell tumor, extragonadal germ cell tumor, ovarian germ cell tumor,gestational trophoblastic tumor, glioma, hairy cell leukemia, head andneck cancer, hepatocellular cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkinlymphoma, hypopharyngeal cancer, hypothalamic and visual pathway glioma,intraocular melanoma, islet cell tumors, Kaposi sarcoma, kidney cancer,renal cell cancer, laryngeal cancer, lip and oral cavity cancer, smallcell lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, primary central nervoussystem lymphoma, Waldenstrom macroglobulinema, malignant fibroushistiocytoma, medulloblastoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, malignantmesothelioma, squamous neck cancer, multiple endocrine neoplasiasyndrome, multiple myeloma, mycosis fungoides, myelodysplasticsyndromes, myeloproliferative disorders, chronic myeloproliferativedisorders, nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer, nasopharyngealcancer, neuroblastoma, oropharyngeal cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreaticcancer, parathyroid cancer, penile cancer, pharyngeal cancer,pheochromocytoma, pineoblastoma and supratentorial primitiveneuroectodermal tumors, pituitary cancer, plasma cell neoplasms,pleuropulmonary blastoma, prostate cancer, rectal cancer,rhabdomyosarcoma, salivary gland cancer, soft tissue sarcoma, uterinesarcoma, Sezary syndrome, non-melanoma skin cancer, small intestinecancer, squamous cell carcinoma, squamous neck cancer, supratentorialprimitive neuroectodermal tumors, testicular cancer, throat cancer,thymoma and thymic carcinoma, thyroid cancer, transitional cell cancer,trophoblastic tumors, urethral cancer, uterine cancer, uterine sarcoma,vaginal cancer, vulvar cancer, and Wilms tumor.

Aspects of the invention relate to treatment of a subject based on thelevels of markers described herein. In some embodiments, a subject withcancer identified as being sensitive or likely to be sensitive to a MAPKpathway inhibitor is treated with a MAPK inhibitor. In some embodiments,a subject with cancer identified as being resistant or likely to beresistant to a MAPK pathway inhibitor is treated with a non-MAPKinhibitor therapy. In some embodiments, a subject with cancer identifiedas being resistant or likely to be resistant to a MAPK pathway inhibitoris treated with a MAPK pathway inhibitor in combination with anothertherapeutic agent.

Other methods of the invention comprise administration of a firstinhibitor and a second inhibitor. The designation of “first” and“second” inhibitors is used to distinguish between the two and is notintended to refer to a temporal order of administration of theinhibitors.

The first inhibitor may be a RAF inhibitor. The RAF inhibitor may be apan-RAF inhibitor or a selective RAF inhibitor. Pan-RAF inhibitorsinclude but are not limited to RAF265, sorafenib, and SB590885. In someembodiments, the RAF inhibitor is a B-RAF inhibitor. In someembodiments, the selective RAF inhibitor is PLX4720, PLX4032,Dabrafenib, or GDC-0879-A. Other RAF inhibitors are provided herein.

The first inhibitor may be a MEK inhibitor. MEK inhibitors include butare not limited to CI-1040, AZD6244, PD318088, PD98059, PD334581,RDEA119,6-Methoxy-7-(3-morpholin-4-yl-propoxy)-4-(4-phenoxy-phenylamino)-quinoline-3-carbonitrileor4-[3-Chloro-4-(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-ylsulfanyl)-phenylamino]-6-methoxy-7-(3-morpholin-4-yl-propoxy)-quinoline-3-carbonitrile,Roche compound RG7420, Trametinib, or combinations thereof. In someembodiments, the MEK inhibitor is CI-1040/PD184352 or AZD6244. Other MEKinhibitors are provided herein.

The first inhibitor may be an ERK inhibitor. ERK inhibitors include butare not limited to VTX11e, AEZS-131, PD98059, FR180204, FR148083, orcombinations thereof. In some embodiments, the ERK inhibitor is VTX11e.Other ERK inhibitors are provided herein.

It is to be understood that a combination of MAPK pathway inhibitors maybe used. In some embodiments, a second inhibitor may be a RAF inhibitor,MEK inhibitor, or ERK inhibitor as provided herein. In some embodiments,the first inhibitor is a RAF inhibitor and the second inhibitor is a MEKinhibitor. In some embodiments, the RAF inhibitor is Dabrafenib and theMEK inhibitor is Trametinib.

Thus, in some embodiments, a combination therapy for cancer is provided,comprising an effective amount of a RAF inhibitor and a MEK inhibitor.The RAF inhibitor may be a pan-RAF inhibitor or it may be a selectiveRAF inhibitor.

Any of the therapies including combination therapies described hereinare suitable for the treatment of a patient manifesting resistance to aMAPK pathway inhibitor such as a RAF inhibitor or a MEK inhibitor or apatient likely to manifest resistance to such inhibitors. The patientmay have a cancer characterized by the presence of a B-RAF mutation. TheB-RAF mutation may be but is not limited to B-RAFV600E. The cancer maybe but is not limited to melanoma.

Pharmaceutical Formulations, Administration and Dosages

Provided herein are pharmaceutical formulations comprising singleagents, such as MAPK pathway inhibitors (and/or pharmacologically activemetabolites, salts, solvates and racemates thereof).

In other instances, provided herein are pharmaceutical formulationscomprising a combination of agents which can be, for example, acombination of two types of agents such as a RAF inhibitor and/orpharmacologically active metabolites, salts, solvates and racematesthereof in combination with a MEK inhibitor and/or pharmacologicallyactive metabolites, salts, solvates and racemates thereof.

Agents may contain one or more asymmetric elements such as stereogeniccenters or stereogenic axes, e.g., asymmetric carbon atoms, so that thecompounds can exist in different stereoisomeric forms. These compoundscan be, for example, racemates or optically active forms. For compoundswith two or more asymmetric elements, these compounds can additionallybe mixtures of diastereomers. For compounds having asymmetric centers,it should be understood that all of the optical isomers and mixturesthereof are encompassed. In addition, compounds with carbon-carbondouble bonds may occur in Z- and E-forms; all isomeric forms of thecompounds are included in the present invention. In these situations,the single enantiomers (optically active forms) can be obtained byasymmetric synthesis, synthesis from optically pure precursors, or byresolution of the racemates. Resolution of the racemates can also beaccomplished, for example, by conventional methods such ascrystallization in the presence of a resolving agent, or chromatography,using, for example a chiral HPLC column.

Unless otherwise specified, or clearly indicated by the text, referenceto compounds useful in the therapeutic methods of the invention includesboth the free base of the compounds, and all pharmaceutically acceptablesalts of the compounds. The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salts”includes derivatives of the disclosed compounds, wherein the parentcompound is modified by making non-toxic acid or base addition saltsthereof, and further refers to pharmaceutically acceptable solvates,including hydrates, of such compounds and such salts. Examples ofpharmaceutically acceptable salts include, but are not limited to,mineral or organic acid addition salts of basic residues such as amines;alkali or organic addition salts of acidic residues such as carboxylicacids; and the like, and combinations comprising one or more of theforegoing salts. The pharmaceutically acceptable salts include non-toxicsalts and the quaternary ammonium salts of the parent compound formed,for example, from non-toxic inorganic or organic acids. For example,non-toxic acid salts include those derived from inorganic acids such ashydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulfuric, sulfamic, phosphoric, and nitric;other acceptable inorganic salts include metal salts such as sodiumsalt, potassium salt, and cesium salt; and alkaline earth metal salts,such as calcium salt and magnesium salt; and combinations comprising oneor more of the foregoing salts. In some embodiments, the salt is ahydrochloride salt.

Pharmaceutically acceptable organic salts include salts prepared fromorganic acids such as acetic, trifluoroacetic, propionic, succinic,glycolic, stearic, lactic, malic, tartaric, citric, ascorbic, pamoic,maleic, hydroxymaleic, phenylacetic, glutamic, benzoic, salicylic,mesylic, esylic, besylic, sulfanilic, 2-acetoxybenzoic, fumaric,toluenesulfonic, methanesulfonic, ethane disulfonic, oxalic, isethionic,HOOC(CH₂)_(n)COOH where n is 0-4; organic amine salts such astriethylamine salt, pyridine salt, picoline salt, ethanolamine salt,triethanolamine salt, dicyclohexylamine salt,N,N′-dibenzylethylenediamine salt; and amino acid salts such asarginate, asparginate, and glutamate, and combinations comprising one ormore of the foregoing salts.

The agents of the invention are administered in effective amounts. An“effective amount” is an amount sufficient to provide an observableimprovement over the baseline clinically observable signs and symptomsof the disorder treated with the combination.

The effective amount may be determined using known methods and willdepend upon a variety of factors, including the activity of the agents;the age, body weight, general health, gender and diet of the subject;the time and route of administration; and other medications the subjectis taking. Effective amounts may be established using routine testingand procedures that are well known in the art.

A physician or veterinarian having ordinary skill in the art can readilydetermine and prescribe the effective amount of the pharmaceuticalcomposition required. For example, the physician or veterinarian couldstart at doses lower than those required to achieve the desiredtherapeutic effect and gradually increase the dosage until the desiredeffect is achieved. In general, a suitable daily dose of will be thatamount of the compound that is the lowest dose effective to produce atherapeutic effect.

Generally, therapeutically effective doses of the compounds of thisinvention for a patient will range from about 0.0001 to about 1000 mgper kilogram of body weight per day, more preferably from about 0.01 toabout 50 mg per kg per day.

If desired, the effective daily dose of the active compound may beadministered as two, three, four, five, six or more sub-dosesadministered separately at appropriate intervals throughout the day,optionally, in unit dosage forms.

The agents may be administered using a variety of routes ofadministration known to those skilled in the art. The agents may beadministered to humans and other animals orally, parenterally,sublingually, by aerosolization or inhalation spray, rectally,intracisternally, intravaginally, intraperitoneally, bucally, ortopically in dosage unit formulations containing conventional nontoxicpharmaceutically acceptable carriers, adjuvants, and vehicles asdesired. Topical administration may also involve the use of transdermaladministration such as transdermal patches or ionophoresis devices. Theterm parenteral as used herein includes subcutaneous injections,intravenous, intramuscular, intrasternal injection, or infusiontechniques.

Administration of the combination includes administration of thecombination in a single formulation or unit dosage form, administrationof the individual agents of the combination concurrently but separately,or administration of the individual agents of the combinationsequentially by any suitable route. The dosage of the individual agentsof the combination may require more frequent administration of one ofthe agents as compared to the other agent in the combination. Therefore,to permit appropriate dosing, packaged pharmaceutical products maycontain one or more dosage forms that contain the combination of agents,and one or more dosage forms that contain one of the combinations ofagents, but not the other agent(s) of the combination. Administrationmay be concurrent or sequential.

The pharmaceutical formulations may additionally comprise a carrier orexcipient, stabilizer, flavoring agent, and/or coloring agent. Methodsof formulation are well known in the art and are disclosed, for example,in Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, Mack PublishingCompany, Easton, Pa., 19th Edition (1995). Pharmaceutical compositionsfor use in the present invention can be in the form of sterile,non-pyrogenic liquid solutions or suspensions, coated capsules,suppositories, lyophilized powders, transdermal patches or other formsknown in the art.

Injectable preparations, for example, sterile injectable aqueous oroleaginous suspensions may be formulated according to the known artusing suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents. Thesterile injectable preparation may also be a sterile injectablesolution, suspension or emulsion in a nontoxic parenterally acceptablediluent or solvent, for example, as a solution in 1,3 propanediol or 1,3butanediol. Among the acceptable vehicles and solvents that may beemployed are water, Ringer's solution, U.S.P. and isotonic sodiumchloride solution. In addition, sterile, fixed oils are conventionallyemployed as a solvent or suspending medium. For this purpose any blandfixed oil may be employed including synthetic mono or di glycerides. Inaddition, fatty acids such as oleic acid find use in the preparation ofinjectables. The injectable formulations can be sterilized, for example,by filtration through a bacterial-retaining filter, or by incorporatingsterilizing agents in the form of sterile solid compositions which canbe dissolved or dispersed in sterile water or other sterile injectablemedium prior to use.

In order to prolong the effect of a drug, it is often desirable to slowthe absorption of the drug from subcutaneous or intramuscular injection.This may be accomplished by the use of a liquid suspension ofcrystalline or amorphous material with poor water solubility. The rateof absorption of the drug then depends upon its rate of dissolutionwhich, in turn, may depend upon crystal size and crystalline form.Alternatively, delayed absorption of a parenterally administered drugform may be accomplished by dissolving or suspending the drug in an oilvehicle. Injectable depot forms are made by forming microencapsulematrices of the drug in biodegradable polymers such as polylactidepolyglycolide. Depending upon the ratio of drug to polymer and thenature of the particular polymer employed, the rate of drug release canbe controlled. Examples of other biodegradable polymers includepoly(orthoesters) and poly(anhydrides). Depot injectable formulationsmay also be prepared by entrapping the drug in liposomes ormicroemulsions, which are compatible with body tissues.

The pharmaceutical products can be released in various forms.“Releasable form” is meant to include instant release,immediate-release, controlled-release, and sustained-release forms.

“Instant-release” is meant to include a dosage form designed to ensurerapid dissolution of the active agent by modifying the normal crystalform of the active agent to obtain a more rapid dissolution.“Immediate-release” is meant to include a conventional or non-modifiedrelease form in which greater than or equal to about 50% or morepreferably about 75% of the active agents is released within two hoursof administration, preferably within one hour of administration.

“Sustained-release” or “extended-release” includes the release of activeagents at such a rate that blood (e.g., plasma) levels are maintainedwithin a therapeutic range but below toxic levels for at least about 8hours, preferably at least about 12 hours, more preferably about 24hours after administration at steady-state. The term “steady-state”means that a plasma level for a given active agent or combination ofactive agents, has been achieved and which is maintained with subsequentdoses of the active agent(s) at a level which is at or above the minimumeffective therapeutic level and is below the minimum toxic plasma levelfor a given active agent(s).

The pharmaceutical products can be administrated by oral dosage form.“Oral dosage form” is meant to include a unit dosage form prescribed orintended for oral administration. An oral dosage form may or may notcomprise a plurality of subunits such as, for example, microcapsules ormicrotablets, packaged for administration in a single dose. Compositionsfor rectal or vaginal administration are preferably suppositories whichcan be prepared by mixing the compounds of this invention with suitablenon irritating excipients or carriers such as cocoa butter, polyethyleneglycol or a suppository wax which are solid at ambient temperature butliquid at body temperature and therefore melt in the rectum or vaginalcavity and release the active compound.

Solid dosage forms for oral administration include capsules, tablets,pills, powders, and granules. In such solid dosage forms, the activecompound is mixed with at least one inert, pharmaceutically acceptableexcipient or carrier such as sodium citrate or dicalcium phosphateand/or a) fillers or extenders such as starches, lactose, sucrose,glucose, mannitol, and silicic acid, b) binders such as, for example,carboxymethylcellulose, alginates, gelatin, polyvinylpyrrolidinone,sucrose, and acacia, c) humectants such as glycerol, d) disintegratingagents such as agar-agar, calcium carbonate, potato or tapioca starch,alginic acid, certain silicates, and sodium carbonate, e) solutionretarding agents such as paraffin, f) absorption accelerators such asquaternary ammonium compounds, g) wetting agents such as, for example,acetyl alcohol and glycerol monostearate, h) absorbents such as kaolinand bentonite clay, and i) lubricants such as talc, calcium stearate,magnesium stearate, solid polyethylene glycols, sodium lauryl sulfate,and mixtures thereof. In the case of capsules, tablets and pills, thedosage form may also comprise buffering agents.

Solid compositions of a similar type may also be employed as fillers insoft and hard-filled gelatin capsules using such excipients as lactoseor milk sugar as well as high molecular weight polyethylene glycols andthe like.

The solid dosage forms of tablets, dragees, capsules, pills, andgranules can be prepared with coatings and shells such as entericcoatings and other coatings well known in the pharmaceutical formulatingart. They may optionally contain opacifying agents and can also be of acomposition that they release the active ingredient(s) only, orpreferentially, in a certain part of the intestinal tract, optionally,in a delayed manner. Examples of embedding compositions that can be usedinclude polymeric substances and waxes.

The active compounds can also be in micro-encapsulated form with one ormore excipients as noted above. The solid dosage forms of tablets,dragees, capsules, pills, and granules can be prepared with coatings andshells such as enteric coatings, release controlling coatings and othercoatings well known in the pharmaceutical formulating art. In such soliddosage forms the active compound may be admixed with at least one inertdiluent such as sucrose, lactose or starch. Such dosage forms may alsocomprise, as is normal practice, additional substances other than inertdiluents, e.g., tableting lubricants and other tableting aids such amagnesium stearate and microcrystalline cellulose. In the case ofcapsules, tablets and pills, the dosage forms may also comprisebuffering agents. They may optionally contain opacifying agents and canalso be of a composition that they release the active ingredient(s)only, or preferentially, in a certain part of the intestinal tract,optionally, in a delayed manner. Examples of embedding compositions thatcan be used include polymeric substances and waxes.

Liquid dosage forms for oral administration include pharmaceuticallyacceptable emulsions, microemulsions, solutions, suspensions, syrups andelixirs. In addition to the active compounds, the liquid dosage formsmay contain inert diluents commonly used in the art such as, forexample, water or other solvents, solubilizing agents and emulsifierssuch as ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, ethyl carbonate, EtOAc, benzylalcohol, benzyl benzoate, propylene glycol, 1,3 butylene glycol,dimethylformamide, oils (in particular, cottonseed, groundnut, corn,germ, olive, castor, and sesame oils), glycerol, tetrahydrofurfurylalcohol, polyethylene glycols and fatty acid esters of sorbitan, andmixtures thereof. Besides inert diluents, the oral compositions can alsoinclude adjuvants such as wetting agents, emulsifying and suspendingagents, sweetening, flavoring, and perfuming agents.

Dosage forms for topical or transdermal administration of a compound ofthis invention include ointments, pastes, creams, lotions, gels,powders, solutions, sprays, inhalants or patches. The active componentis admixed under sterile conditions with a pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier and any needed preservatives or buffers as may be required.Ophthalmic formulations, ear drops, and the like are also contemplatedas being within the scope of this invention.

The ointments, pastes, creams and gels may contain, in addition to anactive compound of this invention, excipients such as animal andvegetable fats, oils, waxes, paraffins, starch, tragacanth, cellulosederivatives, polyethylene glycols, silicones, bentonites, silicic acid,talc and zinc oxide, or mixtures thereof.

Compositions of the invention may also be formulated for delivery as aliquid aerosol or inhalable dry powder. Liquid aerosol formulations maybe nebulized predominantly into particle sizes that can be delivered tothe terminal and respiratory bronchioles.

Aerosolized formulations of the invention may be delivered using anaerosol forming device, such as a jet, vibrating porous plate orultrasonic nebulizer, preferably selected to allow the formation of anaerosol particles having with a mass medium average diameterpredominantly between 1 to 5 microns. Further, the formulationpreferably has balanced osmolarity ionic strength and chlorideconcentration, and the smallest aerosolizable volume able to delivereffective dose of the compounds of the invention to the site of theinfection. Additionally, the aerosolized formulation preferably does notimpair negatively the functionality of the airways and does not causeundesirable side effects.

Aerosolization devices suitable for administration of aerosolformulations of the invention include, for example, jet, vibratingporous plate, ultrasonic nebulizers and energized dry powder inhalers,that are able to nebulize the formulation of the invention into aerosolparticle size predominantly in the size range from 1 to 5 microns.Predominantly in this application means that at least 70% but preferablymore than 90% of all generated aerosol particles are within 1 to 5micron range. A jet nebulizer works by air pressure to break a liquidsolution into aerosol droplets. Vibrating porous plate nebulizers workby using a sonic vacuum produced by a rapidly vibrating porous plate toextrude a solvent droplet through a porous plate. An ultrasonicnebulizer works by a piezoelectric crystal that shears a liquid intosmall aerosol droplets. A variety of suitable devices are available,including, for example, AERONEB and AERODOSE vibrating porous platenebulizers (AeroGen, Inc., Sunnyvale, Calif.), SIDESTREAM nebulizers(Medic Aid Ltd., West Sussex, England), PARI LC and PARI LC STAR jetnebulizers (Pari Respiratory Equipment, Inc., Richmond, Va.), andAEROSONIC (DeVilbiss Medizinische Produkte (Deutschland) GmbH, Heiden,Germany) and ULTRAAIRE (Omron Healthcare, Inc., Vernon Hills, Ill.)ultrasonic nebulizers.

Compounds of the invention may also be formulated for use as topicalpowders and sprays that can contain, in addition to the compounds ofthis invention, excipients such as lactose, talc, silicic acid, aluminumhydroxide, calcium silicates and polyamide powder, or mixtures of thesesubstances. Sprays can additionally contain customary propellants suchas chlorofluorohydrocarbons.

Transdermal patches have the added advantage of providing controlleddelivery of a compound to the body. Such dosage forms can be made bydissolving or dispensing the compound in the proper medium. Absorptionenhancers can also be used to increase the flux of the compound acrossthe skin. The rate can be controlled by either providing a ratecontrolling membrane or by dispersing the compound in a polymer matrixor gel. The compounds of the present invention can also be administeredin the form of liposomes. As is known in the art, liposomes aregenerally derived from phospholipids or other lipid substances.Liposomes are formed by mono or multi lamellar hydrated liquid crystalsthat are dispersed in an aqueous medium. Any non-toxic, physiologicallyacceptable and metabolizable lipid capable of forming liposomes can beused. The present compositions in liposome form can contain, in additionto a compound of the present invention, stabilizers, preservatives,excipients, and the like. The preferred lipids are the phospholipids andphosphatidyl cholines (lecithins), both natural and synthetic. Methodsto form liposomes are known in the art. See, for example, Prescott(ed.), “Methods in Cell Biology,” Volume XIV, Academic Press, New York,1976, p. 33 et seq.

Screening Methods

The invention provides in another aspect a method for screening one ormore candidate agents identify an agent or combination of agents that(a) convert a sensitive signature in a cancer cell or population ofcancer cells to a resistant signature, (b) convert a resistant signaturein a cancer cell or population of cancer cells to a sensitive signature,(c) maintain a sensitive signature in a cancer cell or population ofcancer cells, and/or (d) maintain a sensitive signature in a cancer cellor population of cancer cells in the presence of a MAPK pathwayinhibitor.

The agents may be biological (e.g., protein, nucleic acid, etc.) innature or they may be chemical in nature (e.g., a small molecule, smallorganic molecule, etc.). They may be present in a library such as amolecular library, a combinatorial library, a chemical library, and thelike. It is to be understood that the agent may be of virtually anynature.

The method involves exposing a cell or a cell population (such as cellline or a primary tumor sample) to an agent and measuring expression ofone or more R1, R2, S1 and/or S3 markers in the cell or cell populationbefore and after exposure to the agent. In some instances, the methodinvolves continued exposure of the cell or cell population to the agentor exposure of the cell or cell population to one or more MAPK pathwayinhibitors. In some instances, the cell or cell population may bemaintained in vitro for an extended period of time following which timeit is analyzed again for the expression of one or more R1, R2, S1 or S2markers. In this way, the method can be used to determine whether theagent effects a permanent change on the status of the cell or cellpopulation.

The method may comprise measuring one or more markers as describedherein. In some embodiments, the method comprises measuring a firstexpression level of one or more markers in a cancer cell or populationof cancer cells, and measuring a second expression level of one or moremarkers in a cancer cell or population of cancer cells in the presenceof at least one agent, wherein difference between the first and secondexpression level is used to determine whether the at least one agent (a)converts a sensitive signature in a cancer cell or population of cancercells to a resistant signature, (b) converts a resistant signature in acancer cell or population of cancer cells to a sensitive signature, (c)maintains a sensitive signature in a cancer cell or population of cancercells, and/or (d) maintains a sensitive signature in a cancer cell orpopulation of cancer cells in the presence of a MAPK pathway inhibitor.

In some embodiments, the cell or population of cells comprises a B-RAFmutation. In some embodiments, the B-RAF mutation is V600E. In someembodiments, the cell or population of cells is a melanoma cell orpopulation of such cells such as a melanoma cell line or a melanomaprimary tumor sample. It is to be understood that these screeningmethods may be used to identify agents that might render sensitivecancers other than melanomas.

In some embodiments, the agent is a member of a molecular library.Accordingly, a method of screening may be a high-throughput screen. Themolecular library may be, for example, recombinantly produced orchemically produced. Non-limiting examples of molecular librariesinclude a small molecule library (e.g., a small organic or inorganicmolecule library), a chemical library, a peptide library, an siRNAlibrary, an shRNA library, an anti-sense oligonucleotide library, or anopen-reading frame library. In general, a molecular library containsfrom two to 10¹² molecules, and any integer number therebetween. Methodsfor preparing libraries of molecules and screening such molecules arewell known in the art.

In some embodiments, the cancer cell or population of cancer cells iscontacted with a MAPK inhibitor as provided herein.

The term “about” or “approximately” usually means within 20%, morepreferably within 10%, and most preferably still within 5% of a givenvalue or range. Alternatively, especially in biological systems, theterm “about” means within about a log (i.e., an order of magnitude)preferably within a factor of two of a given value.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. The terms “comprising, “having,” “including,” and “containing”are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, butnot limited to”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of valuesherein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referringindividually to each separate value falling within the range, unlessotherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated intothe specification as if it were individually recited herein.

EXAMPLES Example 1

The differentially expressed genes of the invention were identified byanalyzing gene expression in a panel of cancer samples including cancercell lines with known sensitivity or resistance to a MAPK pathwayinhibitor, PLX4720. Genes whose expression was associated withsensitivity or resistance to MAPK pathway inhibitors in BRAF_V600-mutantmelanoma were identified using the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE)dataset available online at The Broad Institute (Cambridge, Mass.).Robust multi-array average (RMA)-normalized gene expression profiles andIC50 pharmacological sensitivity data (including that for PLX4720) wereidentified for 22 BRAF_V600-mutant melanomas. First, genes whoseexpression was well-correlated with sensitivity or resistance wereidentified based on an expression pattern across cell lines that wasstrongly correlated (r>0.6, identifying markers of resistance) oranti-correlated (r<−0.6, identifying markers of sensitivity) with thePLX4720 IC50 values for the same cell lines. Next, genes exhibiting alarge magnitude of change between sensitive and resistant cell linesfrom the above list were filtered based on a median difference of >2(log 2 units) between the sensitive (PLX4720 IC50<1.6 uM) and resistance(PLX4720 IC50≥8 uM) classes. This filtered gene set is provided in Table1.

Example 2

To validate the putative markers of sensitivity and resistanceidentified in Example 1, an independent collection of BRAF_V600-mutantpatient-derived melanoma short-term cultures were examined (FIG. 1). Itwas predicted that MAPK-inhibitor resistant short-term cultures wouldshow low expression of markers associated with sensitivity and highexpression of markers associated with resistance. Table 1 lists therelative rank (median log fold change) of the pre-specified sensitivityand resistance markers in this new dataset, with 1 being the bestpredictor (out of 13,321 genes measured) of the indicated state.Expression of some genes was not measured in this collection. Notably,the vast majority of marker genes validated in this independent sampleset, indicating their validity.

1. A method comprising measuring in a cancer sample obtained from asubject having cancer (1) expression of one or more resistance markersselected from the group consisting of BDNF, KCNMA1, PAPPA, CCDC80, RRAS,CLMP, EPHA2, HRH1, SCG5, TSPAN5, BEX1, TMEM200A, TGM2, CD163L1, S100A16,IGFBP6, ITGA3, LOC100130938, C12orf75, FBN2, CRIM1, COL6A2, and EFNB2(“R1 markers”), and (2) expression of (a) one or more resistance markersselected from the group consisting of DSE, CYR61, CDH13, PODXL,SERPINE1, NRP1, IL1B, BIRC3, AXL, NUAK1, TCF4, COL5A1, NTM, CCL2, IL1Aand TPM1 (“R2 markers”), or (b) one or more sensitive markers selectedfrom the group consisting of IGSF11, FAM167B, MTUS1, GDF15, LINC00518,LRRK2, ID4, CMTM8, KIAA0226L, C11orf96, D4S234E, TBC1D16, TTYH2, LAMA1,PMEL, PROS1, KCNN2, ESRP1, TRIM63, RXRG, PLEKHH1, CPN1, PI15, GNPTAB,and RNF144A (“51 markers”), or (c) one or more sensitive markersselected from the group consisting of GYG2, TYR, SLC45A2, PLA1A,ST3GAL6, DCT, CITED1, RAB38, TNFRSF14, GALNT3, MREG, GPM6B, RRAGD,CAPN3, MLANA, and MITF (“S2 markers”).
 2. A method comprising measuringin a cancer sample obtained from a subject having cancer (1) expressionof one or more sensitive markers selected from the group consisting ofIGSF11, FAM167B, MTUS1, GDF15, LINC00518, LRRK2, ID4, CMTM8, KIAA0226L,C11orf96, D4S234E, TBC1D16, TTYH2, LAMA1, PMEL, PROS1, KCNN2, ESRP1,TRIM63, RXRG, PLEKHH1, CPN1, PI15, GNPTAB, and RNF144A (“S1 markers”),and (2) expression of (a) one or more sensitive markers selected fromthe group consisting of GYG2, TYR, SLC45A2, PLA1A, ST3GAL6, DCT, CITED1,RAB38, TNFRSF14, GALNT3, MREG, GPM6B, RRAGD, CAPN3, MLANA, and MITF (“S2markers”), or (b) expression of one or more resistance markers selectedfrom the group consisting of BDNF, KCNMA1, PAPPA, CCDC80, RRAS, CLMP,EPHA2, HRH1, SCG5, TSPAN5, BEX1, TMEM200A, TGM2, CD163L1, S100A16,IGFBP6, ITGA3, LOC100130938, C12orf75, FBN2, CRIM1, COL6A2, and EFNB2(“R1 markers”), or (c) one or more resistance markers selected from thegroup consisting of DSE, CYR61, CDH13, PODXL, SERPINE1, NRP1, IL1B,BIRC3, AXL, NUAK1, TCF4, COL5A1, NTM, CCL2, IL1A and TPM1 (“R2markers”).
 3. A method comprising measuring in a cancer sample obtainedfrom a subject having cancer (1) expression of two or more resistancemarkers selected from the group consisting of BDNF, KCNMA1, PAPPA,CCDC80, RRAS, CLMP, EPHA2, HRH1, SCG5, TSPAN5, BEX1, TMEM200A, TGM2,CD163L1, S100A16, IGFBP6, ITGA3, LOC100130938, C12orf75, FBN2, CRIM1,COL6A2, and EFNB2 (“R1 markers”), and/or (2) expression of two or moresensitive markers selected from the group consisting of IGSF11, FAM167B,MTUS1, GDF15, LINC00518, LRRK2, ID4, CMTM8, KIAA0226L, C11orf96,D4S234E, TBC1D16, TTYH2, LAMA1, PMEL, PROS1, KCNN2, ESRP1, TRIM63, RXRG,PLEKHH1, CPN1, PI15, GNPTAB, and RNF144A (“51 markers”).
 4. The methodof claim 1, wherein the subject is human.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the cancer is a cancer treated with a MAPK pathway inhibitor. 6.The method of claim 1, wherein the cancer is melanoma.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the cancer comprises a BRAF mutation.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the cancer is a melanoma having a BRAF mutation.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the subject has been or is being treated witha MAPK pathway inhibitor.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein expressionis mRNA expression.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein expression isprotein expression.
 12. The method of claim 1, further comprisingaltering a therapy to the subject if the subject presents a resistantphenotype. 13-35. (canceled)
 36. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising identifying a cancer characterized as having (i) one or moreof the R1 markers up-regulated and (ii) one or more of the R2 markersup-regulated or (iii) one or more of the S1 markers down-regulated or(iv) one or more of the S2 markers down-regulated.
 37. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising identifying a cancer characterized as having(i) one or more of the R1 markers down-regulated and (ii) one or more ofthe R2 markers down-regulated or (iii) one or more of the S1 markersup-regulated or (iv) one or more of the S2 markers up-regulated.
 38. Themethod of claim 2, further comprising identifying a cancer characterizedas having (i) one or more of the S1 markers up-regulated and (ii) one ormore of the S2 markers up-regulated or (iii) one or more of the R1markers down-regulated or (iv) one or more of the R2 markersdown-regulated.
 39. The method of claim 3, further comprisingidentifying a cancer characterized as having (i) two or more of the R1markers up-regulated, and optionally (ii) two or more of the S1 markersdown-regulated.
 40. The method of claim 3, further comprisingidentifying a cancer characterized as having (i) two or more of the S1markers up-regulated, and optionally (ii) two or more of the R1 markersdown-regulated.